I'm waiting on a distant feeling

I'm waiting for things to change

It's getting hard to ride on empty

But maybe I'm not so far away

'Cause it feels like home

- "Where I Belong" by Simple Plan and State Champs ft We The Kings

A year ago he had wanted the promotion to Inspector. Not only would it allow him to concentrate on the part of his job he liked the most, the investigation, but it would mean more stability for Ally. Being an Inspector would mean that he would have a permanent posting. He wouldn't have to move around as much. In theory, it would also be a bit safer than what he did now.

However, a year ago he hadn't been in Hope Valley.

Things had changed since he had come here. At first it had been just another posting. His intention had been to come here and do his job to the best of his ability until his next posting came along.

He hadn't intended to get attached.

When he had first come here, he figured that wouldn't be hard to accomplish. He had felt the skepticism from the townsfolk. Not that it was unexpected. He had known what he was walking into. He had known Jack Thornton had been a part of this community for five years.

But it was just another assignment - until it wasn't.

Things had started out rocky. Bill had thrown him in jail his first night in town. Sharing the office at first hadn't been ideal either. Lucas had taught his niece a card trick when she had skipped school her first day in town. The incident hadn't helped his already tense relationship with the saloon owner. That hadn't been the only trouble Ally had gotten into.

However, she had finally started to make friends, as had he. Both because of Elizabeth Thornton.

For the first time, he had found himself falling for someone. Not that it was hard. Elizabeth just had a way of making people feel at ease. She knew when to be supportive and when to push. He may have told her that there was nothing holding him here to Hope Valley but that wasn't true.

Though they were only friends, he felt a connection to Elizabeth Thornton that he couldn't explain. He and Bill had gotten past there first awkward meeting and had not only a mutual respect for one another but a friendship as well. He had made connections with some of the other parents here in town. Ally had made friends. For the first time she seemed to genuinely like a place.

Truth be told, he liked it here in Hope Valley himself.

Yes, the promotion to inspector would mean a more permanent post, but that post would be in Union City. For the first time in his career, he didn't want to leave a posting. He was starting to feel at home here in Hope Valley.

Elizabeth had told him that children needed stability. He felt like he could give Ally that here. If he were honest with himself, he kind of like the stability he had found here in Hope Valley himself.

The truth was, the promotion wasn't as important as it once was because he had figured out what really was important in life.